Christmas came early Tuesday for Jasmine Cardenas and her six-year-old twin daughters at a bus stop on International Boulevard in Oakland. As they waited for the bus, Cardenas recalls two Oakland police officers making a U-turn before pulling up with a holiday surprise. “My twins said, ‘Mo m, the cops stopped in front of us,'” Cardenas recalled. “I did look back, and of course, I said, ‘Hi, how are you guys doing?’ “And they said, ‘Nothing too crazy, we are just handing gifts out to the kids.'” Shocked by the encounter, Cardenas posted the video online, commending officers Levent Asyali and Damian Flores. One of Cardenas’ daughters chose a pink backpack, a gift she had hoped to buy for Christmas but decided to put off to give other purchases priority. Growing up in Oakland and having previous negative experiences with the police, the act of kindness also shifted Cardenas’ perspective. “I see them differently,” Cardenas added. “I see that there is a lot of them who do have a heart, who do love their job, but they don’t just do it for love. They do it for their community.” The gifts were a part of a yearly event in which the Oakland Police Association and officers buy toys and meals for local families. This year, 62 families were helped. “We always have the officers grab a few extra toys in case they see someone walking down the streets with kids, and we love those positive interactions,” Tim Dolan, vice president of the Oakland Police Officer’s Association, said. “Usually when you see police, something bad is happening, but this is one of those days when it’s a good thing.” ...read more read less